While the Magistrate’s Court that was handling the matter initially had granted the duo bail, a prosecution team from the Rivers State Police Command came in and took them away to a nearby Federal High Court, where they were re-arraigned.

Due to the ill health of the presiding magistrate, Alatunwo Fubara, Olunloye and Walson were returned to the Port Harcourt prison last week.

Olunloyo and Walson were perfecting their bail conditions within the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday before they were taken to the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt by the prosecution team.

The Magistrate’s Court had granted the duo bail in the sum of N200,000 with two civil servants as sureties, who must reside within the court’s area of jurisdiction.

At the Federal High Court, Justice H.I. Shobar adjourned the case till April 10, 11 and 12, even as he assured counsel that he would give the matter accelerated hearing.

But the prosecution witness, David Abuo, had earlier urged the court to drop the charges against Walson.

Justice Shobar granted the plea of the prosecution witness and dropped the charges against the publisher at the Magistrate’s Court.

Walson, who was in the dock, immediate left the place while Olunloyo, who is the daughter of a former governor of Oyo State, was not left off the hook.

When the prosecution insisted that she (Olunloyo) published a false report about Ibiyeomie on her Instagram page, she pleaded not guilty.

The judge had initially turned down an oral bail application from Olunloyo’s counsel, Hilton Okoba, maintaining that he was operating a court of records.

Justice Shobar added that accuracy of facts was of great importance to the court.

“This is a court of record and applications cannot be heard orally,” he said.

Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.